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FISHING REPORT AND SYNOPSIS: 01/17/2019

Colder weather lately has slowed things down a touch in the Smokies. Thankfully, however, the streams haven't really dropped below 40 degrees so there are always some fish to be found. With a big rain event forecast for this weekend followed by sharply colder temperatures, get out and fish sooner rather than later. Nymphs or streamers are the name of the game this time of year.

On the tailwaters, we are dealing with massive amounts of water That said, while lots of rain this weekend may set us further back, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon. The overall trend over the next 1-3 months is for drier conditions which should allow flows to stabilize and at least allow us to get some float trips in.

Musky fishing has been decent as of late. Flows are generally just about perfect on our favorite musky rivers. With cold weather ahead, this is something we'll probably be doing more of...

Photo of the Month: Cold Weather Jaws

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Small Stream Water

Our recent poll was about your favorite water type on small streams. Most people consider streams as having runs, riffles, and pools, but when I think small streams I think pocket water and plunge pools. In a small stream, most pools are almost pocket water themselves so you could say that it is the predominant water type. The vast majority of you interestingly prefer fishing pocket water over those larger pools. This is my favorite water type as well although the best fish will often come from the pools. Moving fast up a small stream picking the pockets is great fun with a light fly rod and a few dries.

As we move into the summer months, this will be the most efficient way to fish in the Smokies. If you are lazy, tie on a pair of nymphs instead. The only problem with fishing dries is that when the fishing is really good the fish will destroy the floatability of the dry fly long before they will chew a nymph to shreds. A well tied nymph will generally hold together much longer.

Still, if you are willing to tie on a new fly every 10-15 fish, stick to a dry fly and have a great time on the water. I'm hoping to try a small stream or two while I am in Colorado. They really are a blast to fish and while the big draw out west is all the big fish, sometimes its nice to go back to where I started this sport...on the small streams with plenty of pocket water!

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Guide Trips

I am currently booking trips for guided catch and release fly fishing trips in the Great Smoky Mountains and on the Caney Fork and Clinch rivers for the winter and spring 2019 seasons. This time of year I'm usually a bit more flexible than usual. If you get a last minute urge to fish, holler at me! If you are interested in a guided trip with me or guide Travis Williams, please visit my guide site, Trout Zone Anglers, call or text (931) 261-1884, or email me at troutzoneanglers@gmail.com.

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About Me

David Knapp Photography

The Trout Zone

All about fly fishing! I consider the mountain streams of East Tennessee, especially those in the Great Smoky Mountains as my home waters. I spent some time living in Arizona and Colorado and have travelled extensively out west. As implied in the name of this blog, I prefer trout over all other game fish but am not opposed to catching other species from time to time including bass and other warm water species.

This blog is simply my attempt to relive some of my favorite moments on the water and share my enthusiasm for fly fishing with other people. As an avid angler and guide, sharing is one of the most enjoyable parts of the sport, and I hope you enjoy the Trout Zone!

Caney Brown

All pictures here on the Trout Zone are the property of me the author, David Knapp, unless otherwise specified. If you wish to use any of my photography please contact me by email for permission and details on my expectations.